YouTube Ad Specs, Sizes, and Examples [2024 Update]

Introduction

With billions of users each month, YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine and top website for video content. This makes it a great place for advertising. To succeed, advertisers need to follow the correct YouTube ad specifications. These rules help your ad reach more viewers, increasing the chance of gaining new customers and boosting brand awareness.

Types of YouTube Ads

Video Ads

Description: These play before, during, or after a YouTube video on computers or mobile devices.

Types:
In-stream ads: Can be skippable or non-skippable.

Bumper ads: Non-skippable, short ads that play before, during, or after a video.

Display Ads

Description: These appear in different spots on YouTube and usually use text or static images.

Note: YouTube does not support display image ads directly on its app, but these can be targeted to YouTube.com through Google Display Network (GDN).

Companion Banners

Description: Appears to the right of the YouTube player on desktop.

Requirement: Must be purchased alongside In-stream ads, Bumper ads, or In-feed ads.

In-feed Ads

Description: Resemble videos with images, headlines, and text. They link to a public or unlisted YouTube video.

Outstream Ads

Description: Mobile-only video ads that play outside of YouTube, on websites and apps within the Google video partner network.

Masthead Ads

Description: Premium, high-visibility banner ads displayed at the top of the YouTube homepage for both desktop and mobile users.

YouTube Ad Specs by Type

Skippable In-stream Video Ads

Placement: Before, during, or after a YouTube video.

Resolution:
Horizontal: 1920 x 1080px

Vertical: 1080 x 1920px

Square: 1080 x 1080px

Aspect Ratio:
Horizontal: 16:9

Vertical: 9:16

Square: 1:1

Length:
Awareness: 15-20 seconds

Consideration: 2-3 minutes

Action: 15-20 seconds

Non-skippable In-stream Video Ads

Description: Must be watched completely before the main video.

Length: 15 seconds (or 20 seconds in certain markets).

Resolution:
Horizontal: 1920 x 1080px

Vertical: 1080 x 1920px

Square: 1080 x 1080px

Aspect Ratio:
Horizontal: 16:9

Vertical: 9:16

Square: 1:1

Bumper Ads

Length: Maximum 6 seconds.

File Format: MP4, Quicktime, AVI, ASF, Windows Media, or MPEG.

Resolution:
Horizontal: 640 x 360px

Vertical: 480 x 360px

In-feed Ads

Description: Show alongside YouTube content, like search results or the Home feed.

Resolution:
Horizontal: 1920 x 1080px

Vertical: 1080 x 1920px

Square: 1080 x 1080px

Aspect Ratio:
Horizontal: 16:9

Square: 1:1

Length:
Awareness: 15-20 seconds

Consideration: 2-3 minutes

Headline/Description:
Headline: Up to 2 lines, 40 characters per line

Description: Up to 2 lines, 35 characters per line

Display Ads

Description: Static images or animated media that appear on YouTube next to video suggestions, in search results, or on the homepage.

Image Size: 300×60 pixels.

File Type: GIF, JPG, PNG.

File Size: Max 150KB.

Max Animation Length: 30 seconds.

Outstream Ads

Description: Mobile-only video ads that appear on websites and apps within the Google video partner network, not on YouTube itself.

Logo Specs:
Square: 1:1 (200 x 200px).

File Type: JPG, GIF, PNG.

Max Size: 200KB.

Masthead Ads

Description: High-visibility ads at the top of the YouTube homepage.

Resolution: 1920 x 1080 or higher.

File Type: JPG or PNG (without transparency).

Conclusion

YouTube offers a variety of ad formats to reach audiences effectively in 2024. Whether you want to build brand awareness, drive conversions, or target specific demographics, YouTube provides a dynamic platform for your advertising needs. Always follow Google’s advertising policies and the technical ad specs to ensure your ads perform their best. Ready to start using YouTube ads? Contact us today to get started!


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